Construction on a five-story, upscale apartment building could get underway this summer at the edge of the Memorial Art Gallery property.

The proposal from Stern Properties would redevelop the site of the former Carnegie Building, a century-old, three-story brick structure destroyed by fire in 2015.

"We are just getting going," said developer Allan Stern.

Plans call for 51 one- and two-bedroom apartments atop enclosed parking and a small, street-level retail space fronting North Goodman Street. The proposal is undergoing site plan review at City Hall — the first step in what should be a standard review process as the proposal meets zoning code and will not require variances.

Cold temperatures made fighting the fire difficult. Firefighters initially encountered a frozen hydrant in front of the building but quickly found a working one. MAX SCHULTE/@maxrocphoto/, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Cold temperatures made fighting the fire difficult. Firefighters initially encountered a frozen hydrant in front of the building but quickly found a working one MAX SCHULTE/@maxrocphoto/, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Stern has shared its project plans with MAG and Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) representatives.

Neighborhood leadership is waiting to see what feedback comes from the city, but "appreciate Stern Properties' sincere and heartfelt work to design a new building that fits the site and the current neighborhood, and that also honors the wonderful old building that was sadly lost," said Evan Lowenstein, chairman of development monitoring committee for the NOTA neighborhood association

The Carnegie Building, once part of the original University of Rochester campus, was undergoing extensive renovation for office use at the time of the January 2015 fire.

A spokeswoman for the MAG similarly took no position on the project other than to "wish them success on their upcoming endeavor."